Manila, Philippines

Manila is the capital of the Philippines, and the country's center of governance, education, religion and finance. One's first impression of Manila may be that of a congested, polluted concrete jungle, but don't let that stop you from exploring this sprawling, bustling and complicated city whose colorful multi-cultural heritage and history, crazy and cutting-edge commercial centers, varied and vibrant nightlife give it a flavor and atmosphere that can charm and captivate when and where one least expects it.

Manila is often described as the only capital city in Asia that’s not exotically Asian. A foreigner will be surprised that a local looks just like any Asian, but wears mostly T-shirt & jeans, or jersey, can relate in English, reads and writes in Roman text, and is not at home with chopsticks. As we now see it, Manila is more modern and western judging from the steel and glass skyscrapers dotting the skyline.

Manila is a city where one should exercise caution. As a slum haven, Manila is one of the most blighted cities in Asia rivaling Calcutta, Bombay, and Dacca. Sufficient to say that it is not convenient to carefree wonder around as one would encounter sidewalks fringed with makeshift shanties that lead to a sudden turn into a labyrinth of squatter neighborhoods. It is very scary if not annoying encountering lolling group of male adult and teenage bystanders, although nowadays, these areas are most likely manned by village watchmen and everyone is more than willing to help and interact with lost strangers.

Places near Manila

Manila Links

This is the only place in Metro Manila where you can walk into an actual ancestral home, filled with priceless works of art and memorabilia , and re-live one of Manila´s most elegant eras -- complete with the heirloom recipes, doting staff and famil...

Come worship the food temple known as Ziggurat, where the dining experience will take you to different corners of the world. Savor the colors and flavors of Ziggurat's cuisine from India, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Middle East. Tucked away...

Celebrating our 14th year nestled in the restaurant district of Makati City, Philippines, Heckle and Jeckle Bar and Restaurant has been providing the best in food, fun and entertainment since 1997. Named after the two comedic magpies of a 1950's car...

A welcoming haven for Filipino's and international A-listers to escape from the ordinary. Travel and Leisure magazines in its "Best of 2009" issue hailed us as "unabashedly swanky" and the place in Manila that "lures discerning Manilenos... with thr...

Complete with its line up of exhilarating and glamorous events, a five-star trained staff, extensive beverages, and sumptuous cuisine, Seventh HIGH promises to be the quintessential nightspot of the metro.

Republiq club is the largest and one of the most popular night clubs in Manila (Philippines). The club is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes on other days for (private) events. It’s located in Resorts World Manila (RWM), which ...

Things do to in Manila

Intramuros is a 0.67 square kilometers (0.26 sq mi) fortified area located within Manila, the Philippines. It is the city's oldest district and historic core, with its establishment beginning the city's history and habitation. Its name, intramuros, ...

The museum holds shoes of several famous people including a pair of shoes from each president of the Philippines in chronological order. Other shoes note worthing are those of celebrities, ambassadors, political figures and even traditional shoes ...

Manila Contemporary, situated comfortably inside Pasong Tamo’s Whitespace building, has been in operation since December 2008. Its large, high-ceiling space (300 square meters in area), has played home to a large and impressive roster of artists fro...

The Yuchengco Museum opened its doors to the public in September 2005. Its primary goal is to foster a greater public appreciation of art through the finest international as well as local, cultural, historical, and design exhibits and programs. Loca...

Forming the core of the museum's historical collections are sixty handcrafted dioramas that chronicle the rich tapestry of Philippine history. Ayala Museum also features a one-of-a-kind boat gallery showcasing miniatures of some of the watercrafts t...

Fort Santiago is a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros

The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines occupies 152 acres on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. It contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II, a total of 17...

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and ...

Manila Nightlife

A welcoming haven for Filipino's and international A-listers to escape from the ordinary. Travel and Leisure magazines in its "Best of 2009" issue hailed us as "unabashedly swanky" and the place in Manila that "lures discerning Manilenos... with thr...

Complete with its line up of exhilarating and glamorous events, a five-star trained staff, extensive beverages, and sumptuous cuisine, Seventh HIGH promises to be the quintessential nightspot of the metro.

Republiq club is the largest and one of the most popular night clubs in Manila (Philippines). The club is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes on other days for (private) events. It’s located in Resorts World Manila (RWM), which ...

Manila Dining

This is the only place in Metro Manila where you can walk into an actual ancestral home, filled with priceless works of art and memorabilia , and re-live one of Manila´s most elegant eras -- complete with the heirloom recipes, doting staff and famil...

Come worship the food temple known as Ziggurat, where the dining experience will take you to different corners of the world. Savor the colors and flavors of Ziggurat's cuisine from India, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Middle East. Tucked away...

Celebrating our 14th year nestled in the restaurant district of Makati City, Philippines, Heckle and Jeckle Bar and Restaurant has been providing the best in food, fun and entertainment since 1997. Named after the two comedic magpies of a 1950's car...